Rotherham United boss Matt Taylor is desperate to keep hold of Dan Barlaser amid transfer interest from Middlesbrough.
Midfielder Barlaser is out of contract next summer and Boro have this week been linked with a January move for the 25-year-old.
But Taylor insists he's calm about the situation, with the Millers having offered Barlaser a new deal in the hope he'll stay at the New York Stadium.
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The Rotherham boss told the Yorkshire Post: "Dan has been a good player for this football club for a while now and one of our better performers since I have come in in terms of what he has produced.
"He has been a stand-out. I'd expect him to have interest as his performances have warranted that.
"But we feel he is one of the players we want to build a future with. We have been quite positive in terms of early discussions and hopefully they will continue.
"I don't know who has leaked a story or spoken about him. All I know is that when we get to January, he’ll still be under contract as one of our players. Anything with the rumour mill is false."
Boro are believed to be keen on adding a midfielder to their ranks in the January window, with the club also hoping to strengthen in attack.
Kieran Scott recently told of how Boro will be prioritising permanent deals over loans in the winter window.
Leeds United's Cody Drameh has this week been linked but he's not believed to be a Boro target and won't be joining in January.
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